Arnold Schwarzenegger, Books versus Computers

Arnold Schwarzenegger, film star and now Governor of California, aims to cut a budget deficit of $24.3bn (£15bn) by replacing 'outdated' textbooks with electronic reading devices.  Mr Schwarzenegger announced the ban on textbooks in a classroom in Sacramento, holding up four large text books and joking: "I can use these for the (bicep) curls."  

"It's nonsensical and expensive to look to traditional hard-bound books when information today is so readily available in electronic form," he claims. "Especially now, when our school districts are strapped for cash and our state budget deficit is forcing further cuts to classrooms, we must do everything we can to untie educators' hands and free up dollars so that schools can do more with fewer resources, says Schwarzenegger." 

California is the first American state to use digital textbooks which Mr Schwarzenegger says could save hundreds of millions of dollars on education. Last year California set aside $350m for school books and argues that even if teachers have to print out some of the material, digital textbooks will be far cheaper than regularly buying updated textbooks claiming that the average textbook costs $75 to $100 more than its digital equivalent.  

Schwarzenegger plans to launch the scheme in August 2010 when California's high-school pupil will have access to online maths and science texts. The plan is that pupils would use a digital textbook such as Sony Reader, which can hold the same information as up to 160 books.  

"Basically children are feeling as comfortable with their electronic devices as I was with my pencils and crayons. So why are California’s school students still forced to lug around antiquated, heavy, expensive textbooks?” he asks. It is a question asked increasingly in British schools. Many teachers are turning to worksheets that children print from the internet, rather than insisting on bulky books for each subject.  Textbooks are outdated, in my opinion," Schwarzenegger told pupils. He believes its time for change.  "For so many years, we've been trying to teach the kids exactly the same way." 

The British Government recognises that computers are vital for education. Last year Jim Knight, the former schools minister, said that internet access was as essential as a pen and paper in modern learning.  Some teachers wonder whether Schwarzenegger's idea of getting rid of textbooks might end up costing more money not less, with some digital textbooks selling for up to $300.

Kristina Fierro, a high school teacher in Bakersfield, said it would be expensive to get the materials, train the teachers and train the students to use the materials properly. Not every family can afford a computer. "I would say out of a class of 30, maybe 10 or less has a computer at home. The governor hasn't given many details about the programme, but so far the digital addition isn't looking like a subtraction for California's budget," she said. 

Other teachers agree that this new system would need lots of planning and that not having textbooks available in the classroom wouldn’t be sensible. Computer systems crash all of the time, and there is no way that a school can exist in its present form without books.  Furthermore, some young people prefer books to trawling through a 100+ page textbooks on their PC which can be tiring, impractical and encourage procrastination.

Other considerations are that some schools can’t afford enough teachers let alone computers, computers fail and staring at a computer screen for several hours a day is not good for children’s eyes. Also, how reliable is twitter or the internet? Information in text books is checked thoroughly before printing nobody checks information on the internet. 

In Britain, Mick Brookes, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said many pupils readily accepted internet teaching. He said: “Young people are much more comfortable in receiving information in that way. This is part of the digital revolution.’ Textbooks would probably be phased out eventually, he said, adding: “Children will not have to lug around great sackfuls of books. Whatever way you look at it, this is the future.  

Ultimately, whether we have online learning or a mixture of online learning and texts we need to put the learner first. Does the current school system do its best to expand and excite young people? Are schools exploiting its vast potential as a tool for learning and making education meaningful and engaging? One citizen has suggested a new school system which will revolutionise the way students learn putting students at the centre of their learning, join in the debate on this new student-centered school system. Have your say. We welcome your thoughts and proposals. Add your comment below. Not a Citizen? Sign up

*Image taken from http://www.telfordcouncilwatch.org.uk/education12.jpg

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